Treasure in Jars of Clay
I find myself on the periphery of a difficult situation. I'm not in the middle of it, but people I love are. I find it painful to watch them going through it. I want to help - to rescue them - to take the difficulty away. But, alas! I don't have the ability to do that.
As I've prayed and cried out to the Lord for them, I'm reminded that God is at work to help them in way more ways than I ever could. Things may be difficult - even feel like everything is falling apart, but God is at work. He is unfailing and He will help in the difficulty. I was thinking of a verse:
"Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner." 1 Peter 4:12,13 The Message
I haven't always liked that verse - especially when life has gotten really difficult for me.....but it has helped me keep things in perspective. We will have hard times on this earth. Times we don't like. Times that are unfair. Times when things just seem wrong. Times that are super hard. But if God has allowed these things to come our way, He will be faithful to help us through them. He will help my friends get through the hard time they're facing.
I've had times when I've told the Lord that I think He has too much faith in me in terms of making it through difficult times. And then I hear His gentle voice reminding me that He's strong when I'm weak - and His grace is sufficient for my every need. And somehow, with His awesome help, I've made it through some of those difficult times. He's never left me alone.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19
"Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel." Psalm l73:23, 24
"So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' " Hebrews 13:6
"We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8
I have to admit that I really, really don't like hard times. And I hate to see my friends and family go through difficulties. But I'm old enough to know that as long as we live on this earth, in this fallen world, we will have difficult, stretching times. But I also know that we'll never go through them alone. I certainly couldn't have made it without God's help. He has been so faithful - and as only He can do - He's even brought good from those hard times. I'm so grateful!
About the Author: Sally McClung is a member of the All Nations International Leadership Team and is co-founder of All Nations. Her husband, Floyd McClung, was a world-renown missions leader. Floyd went to be with Jesus in 2021. He is the author of 16 books, including the best-selling books, “The Father Heart of God” and “Living on the Devil’s Doorstep.”
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